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Pedestrian hit by van in Moorhead

A pedestrian crossing Eighth Street South near Fifth Avenue in Moorhead was hit by this van Tuesday afternoon. Carrie Snyder / The Forum

A 21-year-old Minnesota State University Moorhead student was injured Tuesday afternoon when he was struck by a van along Eighth Street South and Fifth Avenue in Moorhead.

The 17-year-old Fargo driver will not be cited for the collision, Moorhead Sgt. Mike Detloff said.

Shouvick Bhattacharya of Moorhead was attempting to cross Eighth Street from east to west when he was struck by the southbound vehicle, according to Shayne Davidson, who witnessed the accident.

"I think (the driver) kind of thought that he was going to stop," Davidson said. He added that the pedestrian, who was not using a crosswalk, had nearly finished crossing the street when he was struck just before 2 p.m.

Before being struck, Bhattacharya appeared to be unsure about whether to continue crossing or stop, Davidson said.

"He tried crossing as fast as he could," he said.

Bhattacharya tried to run the rest of the way and went airborne after being struck, landing several feet away from the vehicle, Davidson said.

"I don't think the driver had much time to slow down," he said.

Bhattacharya had a cut above his eye and was bleeding, but was conscious and able to walk around.

Witnesses administered first aid and called police, who arrived within minutes, Davidson said.

The passenger side of the van's windshield was spider-webbed from the collision.

The driver declined to comment but said that he was not injured.

Davidson estimated that the driver was moving 30 miles per hour.

Detloff said he did not have a condition for Bhattacharya or know where he was hospitalized.